Troup JV runs over Raiders, 56-14

Sir'derek Cassell scored two TDs in the win over West Rusk.

The Tiger junior varsity roared to a 56-14 win over West Rusk Thursday, improving the team's season record to 4-1-1. Troup proved unstoppable, putting together its own scoring drives as well as capitalizing on West Rusk errors.

With fumbles being an issue for Troup in its last few games, the Tiger committed no turnovers against West Rusk and showed a balanced attack, with five players scoring touchdowns.

Ke'Andre Davis did the honors first, with his 35-yard TD run capping the Tigers opening drive. Jacob Moody added the two-point conversion to give Troup the early lead, 8-0, at the 4:32 mark.

West Rusk fumbled on its opening drive, turning the ball back over to Troup with 2:31 left in the first. Quarterback Ryan Nichols went long for Frank Rios on first and 10, but missed the mark. Runs by Moody moved the Tigers to the West Rusk 35 and earned a new set of downs.

Chance Tosh just needed one to pick up the team's next score. Tosh took the handoff left and then cut back right to go untouched for the 14-0 lead. Davis added the two-point run to make it 16-0 Troup's favor with just 36 seconds left in the quarter.

Following the kick by Renaldo Davis, the Raiders showed the makings of a scoring drive, advancing to the Troup 34 as the second quarter began. The Tiger defense tightened and forced a fourth-andone situation that the Raiders couldn't convert, and Troup took over on its own 28.

A penalty against the Raiders and runs by Ke'Andre Davis and Sir'derek Cassell moved the team across midfield. Following a incomplete pass and a penalty, Moody picked up a first down on the West Rusk 29.

From there, Ke'Andre Davis took over, notching two good runs to take his team to the fiveyard line, and then punching in the TD and two-point conversion for a 24-0 lead with two minutes left in the half.

The Tigers weren't finished, however. West Rusk turned the ball over just two plays into its next possession, allowing Cassell a 30-yard TD off the fumble recovery at the 1:23 mark.

Nichols completed a pass to Jamaal Martin for the two-point conversion and the 32-0 lead.

Following a good return on the kickoff, the Raiders were determined to put some points on the scoreboard before the break. Advancing to the Troup 23 with three seconds remaining, the Raiders launched a pass for the end zone. A Tiger player got his hand on the ball, but the tip went in the Raiders' favor for six points.

Ke'Andre Davis penetrated the backfield to make the stop on the two-point attempt, leaving the game 32-6 at halftime.

The momentum shift briefly carried over into the second half as West Rusk scored again on the second play from scrimmage. This time the two-point run worked, narrowing the Tiger lead to 32-14.

West Rusk attempted an onside kick, but Ethan Isaacks recovered for the Tigers. Setting up at the Raider 46, Troup put together a seven-play, fourand a-half minute drive, capped by Nichols' one-yard quarterback keeper.

The two-point attempt was more effort, as Nichols rolled right, looking to pass. Stepping out of the arms of one defender near the home sideline, the Troup QB scrambled left and crossed the end zone on the opponent's side for the 40-14 lead.

West Rusk fumbled again after the kickoff. With just over four minutes on the clock and a three-touchdown lead, the Tigers made some personnel changes.

Martin took the handoff from new QB Tyler Davis on the Raider 36 and slipped out of one tackle, advancing the ball to the West Rusk nine-yard line. After a penalty and a fumbled snap, Cassell charged up the middle to score his second TD of the night. Martin added the extra points for a 46-14 lead with just over two minutes left in the third quarter.

The Raiders advanced the ball into Troup territory on the following drive, but a quarterback sack by Tosh led to a fumble. Cameron Searcy recovered and returned it for an apparent 65-yard TD that was nullified by an illegal blocking foul.

Taking over from the point of the foul (minus a 10-yard penalty), Troup set up on the Raider 40. Tosh picked up a third-andlong first down to keep the Tigers final drive alive, and Martin added another big run to give the team a first and goal on the two-yard line.

After a one-yard carry by Renaldo Davis, QB Tyler Davis punched it in for the final TD at the 1:48 mark. Renaldo Davis added the two to give Troup a 56-14 victory.

The Troup JV hosts Tatum Thursday at 5 p.m.